Matthew 19: 14
But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
I wish to solicit your help today in writing the Word of the Day. What do you think Jesus meant by this statement? What are the characteristics of children that Jesus found so attractive? What are these characteristics which distinguish children from adults? Post your insights to the site and we can have a worldwide dialogue on this question.
Jesus wants us to be as children and he tells us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are as children. So, what are these important traits? Jesus must have had childlike qualities because, surely, the kingdom of God is his. I will offer one trait of children that I admire.
Children are honest. That is one of the things I so like about them. Sometimes it is difficult to have the same level of relationship with adults because of honesty issues. There are folks you know that you cannot trust the words coming out of their mouths. I find these people and relationships with them tedious. Sometimes it feels like too much work to be in relationship with them. Even those who are not intentionally deceptive in their relationships are sometimes misleading because they have lied to themselves for so long that they don’t even know their true selves. You know the good news though. His name is Jesus.
Jesus’ indwelling presence within us can heal, inform and resurrect our lives. If we will open ourselves to him, if we can be honest with our feelings and our thoughts before him, he will rejuvenate the spirit within us so that we will be reborn in every sense. Then our reborn selves will be childlike.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Go to https://iveyministries.org/word-of-the-day/ to post your suggestions.
Oh Ivey in thinking about my own children and now my little grandson, there are several qualities – easy forgiveness! They forgive themselves and others quickly and completely! I don’t ever remember my children holding grudges – toward each other or toward me! I’ve had to apologize to them many times and they always happily received my apology and forgave me. They are so curious. Nothing/no one is odd or weird. Just something new they delight in learning more about. Believe easily. They believe they can do or be whatever they want. They believe God’s word without overthinking it. Those are the first ones that came to mind.
Ann, those are such great qualities. I hope others will see your comment and reply.
Ivey:
Innocence. Children are so accepting the things we tell them and trusting that we know “best”, even though we don’t. Mostly, my great-grands are accepting of instructions that I give them, which makes me more conscious of what and how and tell them things.
Unencumbered. Children have a way of not worrying about the brokenness of the world. The stress of worries of life doesn’t cloud their thoughts which at times can make relationships quite difficult. Jesus longs for an open relationship, one not clouded by the world which often gives us false idols.
Great insights! Wonderful message for the body of Christ.